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Stampede At Temple In Bihar's Lakhisarai (Img: X)
New Delhi: A major stampede broke out at the outer premises of the famous Ashok Dham Temple in Lakhisarai, Bihar, on Monday morning as large crowds gathered for prayers during Sawan’s third Somwari.
According to initial information, more than five devotees have died, while over eight others were injured. The injured were taken to Sadar Hospital in Lakhisarai for treatment.
The death toll could rise as rescue and medical operations continue.
The incident reportedly occurred on the route connecting Ashok Dham railway station to the temple. A power pole had allegedly fallen along the route during the night.
On Monday morning, a rumour spread among devotees that electricity was flowing through the fallen pole. The information triggered panic among the large gathering, with people suddenly rushing away from the area.
The resulting chaos turned into a stampede, leaving several devotees trapped under others.
Following the incident, local residents and fellow devotees began pulling people out from the crowd. Police and administrative officials were alerted and rushed towards the site.
The injured were subsequently taken to the district hospital, where medical treatment was started.
Authorities are assessing the situation and gathering further information about the incident. Officials are also expected to determine how the panic began and whether adequate crowd-management arrangements were in place.
Ashok Dham Temple attracts large numbers of devotees during Sawan, particularly on Mondays when pilgrims gather for darshan and jalabhishek.
The incident has once again highlighted the challenges of managing large religious gatherings, where even a rumour can trigger panic and lead to a dangerous stampede.
